getting to know nsf’s education directorate: relevant ... · national science foundation getting...

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Getting to Know NSF’s Education Directorate: Relevant Grant Programs, Grant Writing, and the

Proposal Review Process

www.nsf.gov

F. D. RiveraProgram Director

Knowledge Building ClusterNSF Division of Research on Learning

(Associate Professor, Mathematics Department, SJSU)

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DiscoveryAdvance the frontiers of knowledge

LearningCultivate a world-class, inclusive science and engineering workforce

Research infrastructureBuild research capability via advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyberinfrastructure and experimental tools

StewardshipSupport excellence and ensure a capable and responsive organization

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ion NSF Organizational Structure

Discipline-based DirectoratesBiological SciencesComputer & Information Sciences & EngineeringEducation & Human ResourcesEngineeringGeosciencesMathematical & Physical SciencesSocial, Behavioral & Economic Sciences

Divisions within each DirectorateSections

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Programs within Sections–

Program Directors (permanent & IPAs)

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ion EHR’s Organizational Structure

Office of the Assistant Director (OAD)

Division of Graduate Education(DGE)

Division of Human Resource Development (HRD)

Division of UndergraduateEducation (DUE)

Division of Research on Learningin Formal and Informal Settings

(DRL)

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Mission:To enable excellence in U.S. STEM education at all levels and in all settings in order to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians, and educators.

Goals:

To prepare the next generation of STEM professionals;

To promote rigorous research and evaluation on STEM education and the workforce;

To heighten the scientific literacy of the population; &

To broaden participation in STEM.

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Thematic Framework for NSF’s

Education and Human Resources

Broadening Participation to Improve Workforce Development

Enriching the Education of STEM Teachers

Promoting Learning Through Research and Evaluation

Furthering Public Understanding of Science and Advancing STEM Literacy

Transforming STEM Education through Cyber-enabled Learning Strategies

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DRL promotes innovative research, development, and evaluation of learning and teaching across all STEM disciplines by advancing cutting-edge knowledge and practices in both formal and informal settings.

Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)

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Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12)

Informal Science Education (ISE)

Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)

Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE)

DRL Core Programs

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Focuses on research, development and implementation of innovative resources, models and technologies for use by

students, teachers, and policy makers

Supports projects that either respond to immediate and pressing challenges facing K-12 STEM education or advances the frontier of STEM teaching and learning

Program solicitation #: 08-502Full proposal deadline: January 19, 2009

DRL---Discovery Research K-12 (DR-K12)

Elementary students collect data on birds.

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Increases interest, engagement, and understanding of STEM by individuals of all ages and backgrounds

Advances knowledge and practice of informal science education

DRL---Informal Science Education (ISE)

Program solicitation #: 08-547Letter of Intent deadline: September 18, 2008Full proposal deadline: December 18, 2008

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Responds to the projections about the shortages of STEM professionals and information technology workers in the United States

Supports the development, implementation, testing and scale-up of models, as well as research studies to address the shortage issues and to find solutions

Bering Strait School District uses numerical modeling software to infuse mathematical and physical science themes into studies of local climate change.

DRL----Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers (ITEST)

Program solicitation #: 08-526

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Supports three types of proposals:

1) Knowledge Diffusion; 2) Empirical Research; and 3) Large Empirical Research

Catalyzes discovery and innovation at the frontiers of STEM learning and education

Produces robust, high-quality research results

Helps coordinate and transform advances in STEM education, research and evaluation

DRL---Research and Evaluation on Education in Science and Engineering (REESE)

Program solicitation #: 08-585Letter of Intent deadlines: October 17, 2008; October 09, 2009Full proposal deadlines: November 21, 2008; November 12, 2009

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ion Division of Human Resource Development (HRD)

HRD serves as a focal point for NSF’s agency-wide commitment to enhancing the quality and excellence of STEM education and research through broadening participation of

underrepresented groups and institutions.

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Research in Disability Education (RDE)

Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)

ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation and Advancement of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers

Research on Gender in Science and Engineering (GSE)

Centers for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST)

Alliances for Broadening Participation in STEM (ABP)

Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP)

HRD Core Programs

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Increases the participation of persons with disabilities in STEM education and careers.

Three program tracks:

Demonstration, Enrichment, and Information

Dissemination (RDE-DEI)

Focused-research Initiative (RDE-FRI)

Regional Alliances for persons with disabilities

in STEM education. (RDE-RAD)

Program solicitation #: 08-527

Effective tools for visually impaired students in Chemistry

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HRD---Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)

Enhances the quality of STEM instructional and outreach programs at Tribal Colleges and Universities, Alaskan Native-serving Institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions

Strengthens STEM teaching and learning to improve access to, retention within, and graduation from STEM programsSitting Bull College student is gathering

up a net to capture animal data in environmental science research.

Program Solicitation #: 08-533Full Proposal Deadlines: October 20, 2008, annually thereafter for implementation projects

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HRD---ADVANCE: Increasing the Participation of Women in Academic Science and Engineering Careers

Develops systematic approaches to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers

Supports systematic efforts to improve the climate for women in the U.S. academic institutions and to facilitate women’s retention and advancement to the highest ranks of academic leadership

Program Solicitation #: 07-582

The University of Michigan Ann Arbor established the Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence (STRIDE) committee.

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Broadens the participation of girls and

women in all fields of STEM education by

supporting research, the diffusion of

research-based innovations, and extension

services in education


Girls received hands-on opportunities to engage in science activities through Bring Up the Girls in Science.

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HRD---Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST)

Enhances research capabilities of minority

serving institutions through the establishment

of centers that effectively integrate education

and research

Promotes the development of new

knowledge, enhancements of the research

productivity of individual faculty, and an

expanded presence of students historically

underrepresented in STEM disciplines


Students work in one of 25 computer science laboratories at Florida International University.

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Program solicitation #: 08-545Full proposal deadlines: October 10, 2008 (LSAMP); March 06, 2009 (BD)

Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) seeks to increase the quality and quantity of students receiving baccalaureate degrees in STEM fields.

Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) provides significant financial support for matriculating candidates in STEM doctoral programs at eligible alliance sites.

Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) furthers the graduate education of underrepresented students through the doctorate level, preparing them for pursuing careers as STEM faculty and research professionals. AGEP student, Victor Vega,

graduated in 2007.

Dr. Carole Baldwin discusses some specimens of deep sea creatures with LSAMP participants.

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ion HRD---Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP)

Seeks to increase the quality of the

STEM education at Historically Black

Colleges and Universities

Addresses HBCU’s institutional

STEM needs, long-term goals, and

mission

Supports Implementation Projects,

Planning Grants, Education Research

Projects, and Targeted Infusion Projects


Benedict College students work in the laboratory.

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NSF-wide program that supports active research participation by undergraduate students

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Draws on the integration of research and education to attract a diversified pool of talented students into careers in science and engineering

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Projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program

Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), NSF 07-569

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New solicitation, NSF 08-596, developed in collaboration with DUE and OMA

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Genesis•

Our competitiveness depends upon education of the next generation scientific workforce.

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Science/engineering research is increasingly reliant on mathematical and statistical tools.

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Must inspire more undergraduates to be proficient in mathematics and statistics in preparation for modern scientific research and development work.

Proactive Recruitment in Introductory Science and Mathematics (PRISM)

Proposal deadline: February 16, 2009Proposal deadline: February 16, 2009

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Goal•

Strengthen the nation’s scientific competitiveness by increasing the number of well-prepared, successful, US undergraduate majors & minors in science & mathematics


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Mechanisms•

Improve the lower division (freshman & sophomore) experience to better prepare undergraduates to major in science and math

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Fund partnerships between mathematical science departments and other STEM departments


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Project Requirements

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Partnership among academic units•

Mathematical sciences and science/engineering.

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At least one PI/Co-PI from each.

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Proactive recruitment•

Mechanisms to proactively identify and recruit capable lower division students.

PRISM

Proposal deadline: February 16, 2009Proposal deadline: February 16, 2009

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Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program

Program Solicitation 08-557

Proposals to EHR due July 21, 2009 CAREER website

Eligibility information

Program description, especially integrated research and education plan

Award amounts

Proposal preparation

Project Summary

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Intellectual Merit and Broader Impact

Project Description

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Advisory Board

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Integrated Research and Education plan

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Start EARLYGet acquainted with FASTLANE (www.FastLane.nsf.gov)Read the Program Solicitation and follow the guidelines. Spend a few minutes skimming the proposal and familiarizing yourself with its sections.

Contact a program officer to discuss your idea; this provides useful information and often helps you to refine your idea; it may also prevent you from applying to the wrong program (e-mail is best). Become an NSF reviewer.The next slide is important.

Getting Started

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ion SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND

It is not enough to write a good proposal.

Sometimes it is not enough to write a competitive proposal.

A highly competitive proposal always moves forward.

An interesting high-risk or highly innovative project always gets our attention.

A “safe” proposal is in limbo.

Minimize jargon. Reviewers read 8 to 10 proposals each, so don’t test their patience.

Ideology minus Data = Annoying

Ideology plus Data = Stronger. Next step: Make it interesting.

“No project is an island.” All STEM education projects should have a strong evaluation plan and a strong Advisory Board.

Do a literature review with a purpose.

Provide details on methodolody (collection, analysis)

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TRIAGEDefault is not to discuss a proposal that receives ratings of Poor or Fair and none higher than Good. Discuss proposal if anyone wants to do so.

PRECIS Primary panelist summarizes proposal for benefit of rest of panel

DISCUSSIONPrimary and secondary panelists, in turn, comment on proposal. All panelists then welcome to join in discussionPrimary panelist (Scribe) writes panel summary of discussion

OVERALL PANEL RANKINGPanel places proposal into one of three discrete funding categories:

Highly Competitive / Competitive / Not CompetitiveProposals also ranked in analog fashion within category

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Organization submits

viaFastLane NSF

Program

ProgramOfficers Division

DirectorConcur

DGA

Organization

Ad hoc

Panel

Award

Proposal Review Process and Timeline

Decline

6 Months 30 Days

Proposal Receiptat NSF DD Concur

DGAAward

RecommendAdvise

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Intellectual merit of proposed activity

• Important to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields?

• Qualifications of proposer?

• Sufficient access to resources?

• Proposed activity well conceived and organized?

• Suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts?

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Transformative Research

Transformative Research involves ideas, discoveries, or tools that radically change our understanding of an important existing scientific or engineering concept or educational practice or leads to the creation of a new paradigm or field of science, engineering, or education. Such research challenges current understanding or provides pathways to new frontiers.

Transformative research results often do not fit within established models or theories and may initially be unexpected or difficult to interpret: Their transformative nature and utility might not be recognized until years later. Characteristics of transformative research are that it:

Challenges conventional wisdom; Leads to unexpected insights that enable new technologies or methodologies; orRedefines the boundaries of science, engineering, or education.

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NSF Merit Review Criteria

Broader impacts• Promote teaching, training, and learning?• Broaden the participation of underrepresented groups? • Enhance the infrastructure for research and education? • Disseminate results broadly? • Benefit society?

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Do your homeworkRead the solicitation (more than once)Familiarize yourself with the NSF website, especially the Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) and FastLaneTalk to NSF Program Officers about your ideasGround the proposed project in relevant and appropriate literatureCheck the NSF Awards Search Page Getting appropriate expertise on advisory board (relevant high profile folks are great) Advisory board can be evaluatorsBudget for external evaluators (Don’t be and do everything.)

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ion Necessary conditions for competitive proposals

STEM content clearly articulated (include examples!)

Research design and methodology sufficiently discussed

Strong arguments for importance of the problem

Integration of research and education

Local and global dissemination

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ion More Suggestions

Communicate and write clearly

Research objectives and questions

Focused STEM content

Research design and methodology

Plans for carrying out the proposed work

Links to relevant literatures

Addressing the two merit review criteria

Ask colleagues to read and critique your proposal (pre-submission review)

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ion Musts

Follow the rules

Margins, font size, 15-page limit

Allowances for letters of collaboration and other supporting documents

Budgetary limitations

Project Summary/Project Description

Grant Proposal Guidelines: Make sure you are not in violation or risk RWR.

GPG: Provision for postdocs

GPG: Two-month (and beyond) rule

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competitive

Data collection strategies are typically well-articulated, but data analyses plans are thin.

Not enough information given about the mathematical content.

Relevant literatures not cited.

Expertise not represented.

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The PI receives …

Your reviews (verbatim & anonymous)

Panel Summary (verbatim & anonymous)

Context statement & award/declination letter

$

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION4201 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virginia 22230

Dear Dr. Doe,

The National Science Foundation hereby awards a grant of...

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION4201 Wilson Boulevard

Arlington, Virginia 22230

Dear Dr. Doe,

I regret to inform you that the National Science Foundation is unable to support your proposal referenced above...

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